3achra عشرة
Algerian Darja · numeral
“3achra” (عشرة) is a numeral in Algerian Darja meaning ten.
Meanings
- ten
- companionship, long acquaintance
Usage
As a numeral, it is pronounced "ɛachra" when used alone or when counting: "wahed, zouj… ɛachra". Before a plural noun it shortens to "ɛachr": "ɛachr snin" (ten years), "ɛachr iyam". Written the same way, "ɛechra" also means the bond formed through long acquaintance or shared life, as well as getting along well: "ɛechra twila", "ma kanch ɛechra mɛahoum" (we don't get along with them). Only context tells the two meanings apart. Note: the initial "ɛ" does not exist in English and is easily dropped by beginners when speaking.
Example
عندي عشرة دورو برك.
3andi 3achra dourou brk.
“I only have ten dourous.”
How to write it in Latin letters
In Arabizi, Darija written in Latin letters, you will find “3achra” but also “3echra”, “3ochra”, “achra” and “3ashra”. No spelling is official: people write the sounds as they hear them.
Digits stand in for Arabic letters that have no Latin equivalent: 3 is ayn (ع), a voiced sound from deep in the throat with no English equivalent.
Type “3achra” on the Arabic keyboard
In Moroccan Darija
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Moroccan Darija, where it means “ten”; “companionship, long-standing bond”: 3chra in Moroccan.
In Tunisian Derja
Spelt the same way in Arabic, the word also exists in Tunisian Derja, where it means “ten”: 3achra in Tunisian.